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Monthly Archives: February 2017

If you have never purchased a car from a dealership, or have previously purchased but never been sure how the finance process actually work, here are some helpful tips. Financing has become the most common method of purchasing a new (or used) vehicle. The steep rise in auto prices makes it difficult for most consumers to simply lay cash on the barrelhead. Therefore, it makes sense to know on what criteria your loan will be based.

o Your Credit Score – Few things are as integral to your auto loan as your credit score. This will dictate what interest rate you are offered, the length of auto loan available to you and much more. In fact, your credit score is the largest contributing factor to the entire loan process. If you do not know what your credit score is, the best choice is to get a free copy of your credit report from one of the credit bureaus (one from all three is a better option), though you’ll have to pay for the actual score.

o Your Down Payment – The amount of money that you use as a down payment is a vital part of what determines your loan payments. The larger your down payment is, the lower the amount of money that you will have to finance. This helps you reduce your monthly payments and, when combined with a strong credit score, can help you receive the deal that you want.

o The Market – While your credit score plays a role in the interest rate that you receive, the current market conditions also play a large part. Many consumers are unaware of what the current market conditions are and, thus, have no way of knowing if they are receiving the best interest rate or not. Interest rates fluctuate based on the economy; knowing what those rates are will help you attain the best deal possible.

o The Source of Your Auto Loan – Many consumers mistakenly believe that it is easier to obtain financing through the dealership. While it may be more convenient, it is certainly not the only, or even best, method. Local banks and credit unions can offer you a viable option, as can online lenders. By having your financing already in place, you can avoid the expensive hassle of dealer financing and get a better deal on your new vehicle.

o Your Trade In – The value of your trade-in vehicle is an important part of the process. The more your vehicle is worth (to the dealer, not market price), the more money you will receive for your vehicle. Never think that you will receive fair market value for a trade-in. Dealers will pay only what they feel the vehicle is worth. This value includes how easily they can sell the car (demand) and how many similar cars they currently have (stock).

By ensuring that you know these areas of information, you will be able to ensure that you remain in control during the purchase process, as well as ensure that you pay the lowest price for that new car.

Most breakups in a relationship are caused by financial disagreements. From a dating couple to married ones if money issues are not well agreed on, there could be looming trouble. At my pre-marital counseling class, I got a chance to hear different views on how couples manage their finances and realized that it is not a matter of how much money couples have but how they agree on the use of the money.

One of the couples shared their way of dealing with money and this impressed me; they pooled together all their income and sat down each month end to jot down their monthly budget. Each person got some pocket money for personal use thus it did not matter how much one contributed to the pool. But of course this can only work if both parties are open about their income.

Currently with more women being empowered, some couples have found themselves in a relationship where the woman earns more than the man. This can cause a strain on the relationship especially if the woman looks down upon the man or if the man is in denial that he is earning less. It is therefore important that a couple accepts each other as they are and plan for their income as a couple rather than compete on who earns more.

Couples can open a joint account, invest in insurance for the family, buy property, buy shares in the stock market and enjoy the power of pooling funds together.

In case of further problems, couples can also get a financial advisor or a successful couple to emulate.

Do you have a plan in trying to eliminate your debt? Are you tired of making the minimum payments on each outstanding balance and never being able to make any progress?I want to go through what debt stack is and how to manage money and get rid your debt as fast and reasonably as possible. Something that is more interesting is you can follow the debt stacking formula to help create the retirement you’ve always hoped for!

What is Debt Stacking?

I have discussed this in one of my previous post but I think this is worth another look. Debt stacking is an easy principle of eliminating all debts in a triangle type formula. It is a proven theory and it can be easy plus you can get rid of your debt two or three times more quickly then you may have thought possible.

HERE’S WHAT TO DO:

STEP 1: Create a list of all of your current debt. Put each amount in order from the lowest amount to the largest.

STEP 2: Set up an emergency fund in a savings account. The lowest amount you should have is $1,000. You just never know if or when you may need it.

STEP 3: Always make the minimum payments every single month that is required on all of your debt until the first one is paid off.

NOTE: If you usually pay extra on one or more of your balances each month, apply that extra amount to first item (of the lowest balance) on your list. (for example if you pay $200 extra each month on item number 3 switch that amount, regardless of interest to the lowest balance)

STEP 4: Once the lowest debt has been paid, use that money against the next lowest balance (the second one) on your list. This will help speed up the amount of time it will take to pay off the second balance.

STEP 5: Repeat that same process to the next debt or until all have been eliminated. Remember you are not spending any more money and it will accelerate the process.REMEMBER: For this to work effectively you must not create any new debt.

In those 32 years you would have paid $205,485 in INTEREST for a total of $377,385.

If you apply the Debt Stacking Formula:

It would take just 12 years to pay off that same debt.

In those 12 years you would have paid just $86,343 in interest for a total of $205,485.

It may seem too good to be true but this is an easy process that works. You are not making any changes to your monthly payments, just a different approach. Every situation is different but debt stacking can work for anyone.
How Debt Stacking would help with retirement:

Once all of your debt has been eliminated, take the same total minimum required monthly payment of $1,805 and invest it. Do that each month for the next 20 years. You would have been paying that amount for another 20 years anyway. If its invested at 8% you will have $1,179,533 in 20 years. Nothing in your lifestyle has changed.

Basically debt stacking will dramatically reduce the amount of time it will take to pay off your debt and it will also reduce the total amount of interest you will pay AND it will help create the nest egg you have always wanted. That sounds pretty great doesn’t it?

When it comes to paying off debt you don’t always see results. It’s hard to stay focused and maintain hope when those large balances don’t seem to disappear until the last few years. The key is to pay as little interest as possible so you will have more of your money in your bank account down the road. I hope this post helped you understand debt stack and taught you a little more about how to manage money.

Do you want to learn how to manage my money better? In my article I will be discussing 7 important tips which will help you in managing your finance properly.

First keep in mind that what is your income, if you are spending more than you earn it means you are not managing your finance properly. Listed below are 7 important tips through which you can manage your finance properly:

You can make budget on monthly basis which will help you to spend according to your need.

Another important step is to constantly check your bank statements or review your bank statements and try to consider getting rid of your debt as quick as you can.

Make a life style which fits according to your financial limits .It includes your standard of living, your clothing etc. You must avoid showing your self more than what you actually are.

The most important aspect which has to be considered by you is to save money for tomorrow. You can start saving with a penny. This saving can help you in different type of situations.

You can manage your debt on regular basis by paying or clearing your debts on monthly basis and try to avoid the excess use of credit card as it will only increase your debts and will further increase your financial problems in the days to come.

Try to earn some additional income apart from your regular income. Doing some kind of part time job is the option you must consider.

Try to make as much as deposits to the banks, as banks are offering high interest rate on savings. It will assure you that you are managing your finance properly and efficiently.